Mac vs PC

[Fairweather]

I've kept my home-built PC upgraded with the times, but I'm looking for something new. I'm impressed with Apple's graphics capability and security. How is web browsing with a Mac? Any problems or 'can't-go-there' issues? Has the whole Mac premise been compromised by their switch to Pentium processors? Why would anyone run Windows on their Mac? Are they worth the extra $$? Do their LCD monitors hold up to continuous use/on? As a Mac user, have you eliminated time spent troubleshooting? How is the support?

[cj001f]

Macs are for the 50+ crowd

[olyclimber]

i just switched...and i think the macbooks are awesome. the switch to intel processors compromised nothing. as far as web browsing, i haven't had a problem, though if you go to a site that requires IE you might be in trouble (i only have this at work, which provides a windoze laptop for me anyway). microsoft stopped making IE for the mac, so unless one of the other browsers can do it, i guess it might be a problem. i use firefox, and there are a number of other browsers for the mac including safari and camino.

 

i think there are a number of reasons to switch over to the macs, security is a good reason (but this is probably more a factor of windoze being the market share leader and thus the target of hackers worldwide for a long time...it is unknown how OS X would handle such scrutiny). Both platforms are due for a major OS update (Vista for the PC...making it closer to the Mac experience and Leopard for the Mac...which will include many very cool enhancements on what I think is the easiest to use and most aesthetic interface available). I in the little time I have had the mac i'm much more impressed with how it processes video, which i never had much luck with on the PC.

 

I also have a homebuilt PC that i have upgrade over the years part by part, so that i never had a brand new system but it was always up to date.

 

Support, since I work in IT, is fine since I don't need any. With any computer there is going to be time spent troubleshooting if you want to call it that...usually it is just time spent figuring out how to do something. It might be a little easier to do on a Mac, but you'll have an initial adjustment period if you have been a PC user.

 

PCs can be significantly cheaper, so it makes the choice that much harder...but I'd say go to a Mac store some time and play around with one.

 

I run Windows Vista in virtual (Parallels), and know plenty of people who use Bootcamp to dual boot, but it is a complete waste of money to buy expensive Apple hardware to run windoze. The whole point of the Apple controlling their hardware and the OS is to make the total experience better (and to allow Steve Jobs to control the universe).

 

Their monitors are very, very nice...but you can get one for much cheaper from other sources (unless you're getting an iMac with one integrated).

 

there are tons of apps (free, shareware, or for $) for the mac, including MS Office. Here is a good starting list:

http://macspecialist.org/content/articles/essential_apps/

 

getting a mac is like joining a cult. soon i will be jointing Jobs on a comet. i'm a believer.

 

 

[Figger_Eight]

I've always had Apple's at home and have been forced to use PC's at work. Mac's are more stable, faster with everything having to do with graphics, more reliable and you don't have to worry about getting a virus.

[mountainmatt]

I was always a PC guy. My new job required me to become a Mac guy. Since working with a Mac, I have hardly used my PC at home.

 

As for web browsing, I use Firefox almost exclusively and occasionaly use Safari. I find the browsing to be at least as good as a PC.

 

I have a 23" monitor that I leave on all day, and use almost constantly. No problems, but they are expensive. You can always pick up a cheaper monitor if you use a Dell, etc.

 

The disads I know of are that they are expensive and that software can be harder to come by (depending what you are looking for).

 

Overall, the next computer I buy will be a Mac. More reliable, less hassle, and all so shiny.

[Doug]

I purchased my first Mac in 1987, an SE. 9" &W monitor, OS 6. I'm on my 6th Mac, a G5 21" monitor iMac. it is a beautiful machine. In the last 20 years I have been a dual user, PC's at work, Mac at home. We have a home built PC that my wife uses, but give me a Mac any day of the week.

 

I have yet to find the need for an application that wasn't supported by Mac. Currently, I use safari for web browsing and haven't had any issues. Go for it, take the plunge, you'll be glad you did.

[dmuja]

Go for it

 

prolly even yur fuggin ipod will work!

[MCash]

I was always a PC guy. My new job required me to become a Mac guy. Since working with a Mac, I have hardly used my PC at home.

 

As for web browsing, I use Firefox almost exclusively and occasionaly use Safari. I find the browsing to be at least as good as a PC.

 

I have a 23" monitor that I leave on all day, and use almost constantly. No problems, but they are expensive. You can always pick up a cheaper monitor if you use a Dell, etc.

 

The disads I know of are that they are expensive and that software can be harder to come by (depending what you are looking for).

 

Overall, the next computer I buy will be a Mac. More reliable, less hassle, and all so shiny.

 

Don't forget more expensive, much slower, and with 1/10 the software available to it.

[Weekend_Climberz]

Why do people pay for software for there PC's? I haven't figured that one out yet. Why spend $1000+ when you can put together a PC for <$300 and equip it with the best software in the universe, FOR FREE. One of these days, when Bill and Steve are dead, the people will finally rise up and see all the crap that they are being fed from Apple and Microsoft. Open source software not only is more advanced, but has more security testers, bug testers, programmers, and geeks working on it than anything MS or Apple could afford. Sorry for the rant, but come on people. Linux/Unix is the wave of the future, catch the wave and quit drowning in the ocean.

 

Mac's are like having sex with fat chicks, it's fun while you are alone, but you wouldn't want to tell your friends about it :lamo:

[Chaps]

Not a good analogy. More like Macs are like having sex with a very expensive hooker who knows what she is doing. Linux is the ugly girl next door...free and gets the job done...and you know you're a geek if you're bragging about hitting that stuff.

[Dechristo]

good one, Chaps

[olyclimber]

OMG MAC VS PC WHAT A BUNCH OF DWEEB GEEK LOOOOOSERS.

[cj001f]

Not a good analogy. More like Macs are like having sex with a very expensive hooker who knows what she is doing.

 

Macs are for fat, old, incompetent businessmen who can't get it elsewhere?

[Mr_Phil]

More like Macs are like having sex with a very expensive hooker who knows what she is doing.

 

And what she is doing is taking your money.

[Fairweather]

I don't care if she's a hooker, as long as she doesn't give me any viruses...or worms.

[chirp]

I don't care if she's a hooker, as long as she doesn't give me any viruses...or worms.

Mac's typically arent very MMORPG friendly...but I guess if you buy a Mac you prolly own a console for your gaming pleasure.

[mountainmatt]

Mac's typically arent very MMORPG friendly...but I guess if you buy a Mac you prolly own a console for your gaming pleasure.

 

Or you go climbing in your free time.